In North Dakota, it is legal to chain or tether a pet outside, but there are specific regulations to ensure the animal’s safety and well-being. Chains, tethers, or tie-outs must be at least three times the length of the animal and cannot weigh more than ten pounds.
They must be made of durable material strong enough to hold the animal securely. The tethered area should prevent the animal from becoming tangled around objects and must allow access to water and shelter at all times. The animal should not be able to reach public sidewalks, streets, alleys, or neighboring properties unless permission is granted by the property owner.
Importantly, an animal must not be chained or tethered to any stationary object for more than two consecutive hours without a two-hour break and is limited to no more than four two-hour chaining periods in 24 hours. Exceptions exist for kennels or pulley/cable run systems if specific conditions are met, such as length and height of the system and the area size of the kennel, with a maximum confinement of ten consecutive hours in 24 hours.
Violations of these rules or chaining that results in injury or neglect can lead to fines and legal consequences under county ordinances or state animal welfare laws. These regulations aim to protect animals from neglect, distress, and harm while allowing for safe outdoor tethering as needed.
Sources
(https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/fargo-north-dakota/)
(https://hillsboro-nd.com/vertical/sites/%7B7383026E-3DE1-4DA9-9A29-A3887DB2DE61%7D/uploads/Title_XI_-_Animals_and_Fowl.pdf)
(https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws)
(https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-state-dog-tethering-laws)
(https://ndnewengland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-Ordinances-C12.pdf)
